| 释义 |
finicking, finikin, (ppl.) a. and n.|ˈfɪnɪkɪŋ, -ɪn|
Also finnicking, finnikin, (9 finican).
[Of somewhat doubtful etymology; most likely f. finick v. + -ing2; the chief difficulty is that the adj. is recorded from the middle of 17th c., while the vb. is known only from a very recent period.
It has been suggested that finikin is the original form, and is of Du. origin; cf. MDu. fijnkens adv. accurately, neatly, prettily (Kilian). On this hypothesis the words finical and finick n. and vb. must in some way have been evolved from finikin. The conjecture however is unsupported by evidence, and finical appears 70 years earlier than the earliest known instance of finikin.]
A. adj. Affecting extreme refinement; dainty, fastidious, mincing; excessively precise in trifles. Also of things: Over-delicately wrought or finished; also, insignificant, paltry, trifling.
1661A. Brome Leveller i. Poems 72 Your Madams and Lords, And such finikin words. c1680Roxb. Ball. (1891) VII. 467 He's a finikin' vapouring Taylor. 1741E. Poston Pratler (1747) I. 230 Thou finicking Stuff, Put thy Hands in a Muff. 1822Blackw. Mag. II. 444 To apply their finican hands and utensils to the laborious task. 1831Fraser's Mag. II. 745 Quiet and finikin as his [Horace's] satire is. 1837Dickens Pickw. xix, With all the finicking coxcombry of youth. 1865G. Meredith R. Fleming x, Out..came the old, broad, bent figure, with little finicking steps. 1886T. Hardy Mayor Casterbr. xii, Such finnikin details.
†b. In eulogistic sense: Dainty, pretty. Obs.
c1749Robin Hood & Allen a Dale xviii. in Child Ballads v. cxxxviii. 174/1 A finikin lass, Did shine like glistering gold.
B. n. (in form finikin, finnikin).
†1. A finicking person. Obs.
1744Mrs. E. Heywood Female Spect. (1748) I. 82 Every public place so abounded with coxcombs and finikins.
†2. A variety of pigeon. Obs.
1725Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Pigeon, Many sorts of pigeons, such as Carriers..Finikins. 1765Treat. Dom. Pigeons 136 The Finnikin. These Pigeons are possessed of certain whimsical gestures when salacious. 1867Tegetmeier Pigeons 175 The Finnikin.
Hence ˈfinickingly adv.
1880V. Lee Italy iv. ii. 153 Finickingly finished like a fan-painting. |